Is this plastic mesh underneath my grass toxic?

Clement Chan
by Clement Chan

Hi everyone, I have a raised vegetable on my lawn but later found that there is a green mesh underneath the grass. My question is whether is mesh/net is toxic and whether I have to remove the net/mesh before I grow vegetables on the raised garden bed.

I took the picture from another post

  15 answers
  • FrugalFamilyTimes.com FrugalFamilyTimes.com on Mar 16, 2021

    It’s probably not toxic. Plastics take forever to break down. That said, it wouldn’t take too long to cut away and remove it from the area under your raised beds. For peace of mind.

  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on Mar 16, 2021

    From what I have read, no, it is not toxic and should be fine.

  • Cheryl A Cheryl A on Mar 16, 2021

    no it is not toxic I asked a plant grower and he said they use it and have for years and nothing to hurt your beds or soil

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Mar 16, 2021


    Hi Clement,

    I shouldn't think so, More likely to have been put there to stop animals coming in or going out through the ground.

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Mar 16, 2021

    Looks like a barrier for burrowing animals, it should not be toxic. I would leave it in place thinking it has a purpose. Your raised beds might be better off with it there.

    • Em Em on Mar 16, 2021

      Should not and is not are very different

  • Dee Dee on Mar 16, 2021

    That is a barrier for small animals that dig. It is not toxic to your garden. You can always take it out if you do not want it there.

  • Clement Chan Clement Chan on Mar 16, 2021

    Thanks everybody for the input. I think I am going to leave it as I have two 4'x16' vegetable beds, it would be a LOT of work to remove the soil, then the net, then put the soil back. Thanks again!

  • 17335038 17335038 on Mar 17, 2021

    Clement,

    Any potential toxicity of plastic is activated only at extremely high temperatures, such as in a situation where the plastic is burning and expelling fumes.


    You have nothing to worry about here.

  • William William on Mar 17, 2021

    No it's not. Actually it's part of a grass seeded mat. it's basically used on inclines or where grass seed would either be washed away or where seed wouldn't grow. I've seen it used along highways where the ground slopes up. Municipalities use it on parkways when they are replacing street curbs. It has become available to the public. Cheaper than sod and less care than grass seed. It also comes dyed green for visual impact.

  • Debra Ekdahl Debra Ekdahl on Mar 17, 2021

    I’ve seen sod with this.

  • Kathy Kathy on Mar 23, 2021

    YES this plastic is backing for the grass as it is harvested into smaller chunks to be sold and

    laid down for instant lawns.

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Mar 31, 2021

    it is a barrier for small animals


  • Theresa Hurst Theresa Hurst on Apr 06, 2021

    Our new neighborhood has it everywhere. We have nothing but sand and this mesh was used to hold the grass in place while the sod took. However, two years later it's a royal pain as it pops up in the strangest places and sandeled feet get caught up in it causing a tripping hazard. It does nothing to stop burrowing animals. Just ask our ground hog. 😜

  • Deb K Deb K on Jun 14, 2021

    Hi Clement, this is just barrier to keep critters from digging around in your garden and lawn, it is not toxic and it will protect your plants from pests.